Authorities investigating a claim of child abuse ended up seizing several pounds of marijuana, cocaine and heroin from a Harvey home. Julius Payton IV, 30, of 432 Manhattan Blvd., was booked with cruelty to a juvenile as well as multiple drug and gun charges, according to a Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office arrest report.

Detectives were called to a Gretna school Wednesday (Feb. 5) to speak with a 14-year-old student who said she had been beaten by Payton. The girl said she had been hit with an aluminum broomstick several times, causing the broom to break into two, the arrest report said. During the investigation, detectives learned of possible drug use and distribution at Payton's residence.

Detectives obtained and served a search warrant at Payton's Manhattan Boulevard home about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, the report said. They also searched Payton's vehicle.

Investigators found six pounds of marijuana during the search. The located other drugs that were packaged and ready for sale, including 25 dosage units of cocaine, 23 dosage units of ecstasy and 2 grams of heroin, the arrest report said. Detectives also seized some prescription medication, including alprazolam and oxycodone.

Payton had about $4,192 in cash at the house. Narcotics agents also found an arsenal of about 12 weapons, including shotguns and body armor, according to Col. John Fortunato, spokesman for the Sheriff's Office. "One of the guns was reported stolen," he said.

In addition to the juvenile cruelty charge, Payton was booked with five counts of drug possession with the intent to distribute, possession or distribution of drugs without a prescription, possession of heroin, possession of ecstasy, possession of oxycodone, possession of stolen firearms, unlawful use of body armor and 12 counts of felony illegally carrying a weapon, the arrest report said.

Payton has convictions for possession of ecstasy and possession of marijuana, according Orleans and Jefferson Parish court records. He was still being held Friday at the correctional center on a $497,500 bond.